NO NAMES. WHICH COUNTRY IS THIS?

 

• commutation on last day of reign 
• has led to widespread criticism
• blatantly highlights two-tier system of law and justice 
• one set of rules for ruling elite another set of rules for rest
• reflects feudalistic nature of society

• criticism is technically sedition (as defined by govt)  
• warning to anyone who discusses commutation 
• However, this has not prevented peoples’ criticism online
• deep suspicion of direct involvement
• commutation  has broken through a tipping point
• bulk of political commentary no longer favourable to govt

• poor are suffering and will suffer more
• economic outlook for 2024 much worse than forecast 
• Prices still rising, especially food sector
• Income not increasing, not in foreseeable future
• New taxes eating away lower to middle income consumption
• Currency new lows, increasing both prices and debt burden
• govt just don’t have any empathy for citizens
  

• govt floundering in bureaucracy and long string of advisors
• Monopolies still control many strategic sectors in economy
• market-space overburdened with regulations
• inefficiencies keep prices rising 
• crony rent-seeking capitalists, elite get multi-billion projects
• MSMEs getting token assistance
• cronies richer, MSMEs still suffering 
• govt redistributing wealth towards elite in society

• no leader of the people
• reform aura quickly become tainted 
• appointment of money launderer as deputy 
• Then charges dropped by public prosecutor 
• This turned any hopes of reform into wishful thinking
  

• became death of reform
• quickly became puppet of the elites
• extended monopolies, concessions
• contracts to politically connected  
  

• The people's hopes have been dashed
• there is a feeling of hopelessness 
• much talk of people trying to leave 
• brain drain is accelerating

• back to dark ages, censorship, cronyism 
• favouritism for kleptocrats
• heavy clamp down on criticism, free speech
• taboos in the media

• opponents persecuted by legal system 
• which is politically controlled
• internet is illegally blocked
• media fearful of criticising govt

• Worst of all, economic policies favour elites 
• new range of taxes have burdened the poor

• culture used to create class apartheid
• govt should not be criticized 
• disrespectful to traditions

• heavy price to pay for his position
• governing for elites rather than the people
• Meanwhile, corruption continues unimpeded by the elites 
• the big deals being done above any scrutiny and transparency
• There will never be any investigations or prosecutions
• Whistle blowers suffer very badly

• feudalism stems back to Colonial times 
• prop up symbols of authority and obedience 
• This has remained until today, written into the Constitution

• politicians use censorship, repression, racism, religion to create obedience 
• a few are groomed to become part of the elite
• ‘god-fathers’ nurture entrants into professions, civil service, business, politics
• The rest are just thrown crumbs

The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT.